Even if Holden stays manufacturing in Australia, the car union sees a future for robots rather than people.

The Manufacturing Workers Union says governments need to start preparing a plan-B in case of the car maker's departure from Australia.

Holden and its anxious workforce are waiting on news from the new Federal Government on future taxpayer support.

At the request of unions, and with Holden's agreement, manufacturing expert Goran Roos has been drawing up contingency plans.

Professor Roos is operating on an assumption that, at best, the car maker will continue at Elizabeth in northern Adelaide for the next decade only, an outlook markedly more pessimistic than the South Australian Premier's.

"I haven't read the report in its entirety. What I do know is that our endeavours are about securing a long-term future," Jay Weatherill told reporters.

Manufacturing Workers Union official John Camillo said firm plans now might ensure a brighter future.

"We need to be on the front foot. Have a plan-A - keep Holden's here for 10-year period. And [have] a plan-B, that if Holden decide to close, let's not wait until 2016 [to consider the future]," he said.

Even if Holden does keep manufacturing in Australia, Mr Camillo has a bleak vision for future employment levels at Elizabeth.

"Eventually it will be the situation where there'll be no workers on the production line. It'll be done by robots," he said.

Shanghai-based General Motors executive Stefan Jacoby will visit Holden's Melbourne headquarters next week, but will not be visiting the Elizabeth production line.